Weighing Your Dog at Home

Weighing your dog can be difficult but it is very important as it can say a lot about their overall health. In this blog post you will find the best recommendations of pet and veterinary scales, why you should weigh your dog at home and information on exactly how to do so.

Why is it important to weigh your dog?  

We all love to spoil our pets whether this be in toys or food however, with the growing rate of pet obesity this is becoming a massive issue. According to Hill’s Pet almost half of pets in South Africa are overweight or obese. Obesity isn’t the only reason why you should weigh your dog as weighing your dog can help reduce fears regarding their health. A sudden change in weight could be a clear sign there is a problem with your beloved dog and could indicate something serious. 

How often should I weigh my dog? 

Now let’s take a look at how often you should weigh your dog. Although a vet will usually weigh your dog during any regular check-ups, it is perfectly acceptable for you to weigh your dog yourself more often.

In the early stages of a dog’s life, it is extremely important to keep track of their weight to make sure that they are developing at a good rate. For the first six months they should be weighed regularly, every four weeks to avoid any horrid medical conditions such as hookworms or roundworms from developing.

If your dog has a medical condition that causes weight loss, such as diabetes, you should be monitoring their weight more regularly. However, we recommend talking with your vet to decide how often your pet should be weighed to keep track of their conditions.

How much should my dog weigh? 

Determining the average weight of a dog can be hard, simply because just like humans, all dogs are unique and have different conditions. If your dog is below or above their average weight it does not necessarily mean that they are unhealthy or have a medical condition however, we recommend frequent vet checks to keep problems at bay.

How can I tell if my dog is overweight? 

Watch their behaviour. Overweight and obese dogs are typically very lethargic. If you notice that your dog has trouble walking or breathing and has become lazy, they are most likely overweight so take action immediately.

Feel your dog’s ribs. The prominence of your dog’s ribs is a major indicator of weight issues. You should be able to feel the ribs with a slight covering of muscle over them, but they shouldn’t be poking out or be too visible.

Check your dog’s body shape. By looking at your dog from above you will be able to tell whether they look round and oval-shaped, indicating that your dog is potentially overweight. However, if you notice that your dog has a defined waist toward the rear and a straight build down their sides, they’re probably at a healthy weight.  

How can I weigh my dog at home? 

You will need to purchase a vet and animal scale to weigh your dog at home. The scale will ideally have a Dynamic ‘Animal’ Weighing function that will give accurate results even if your dog is moving around.  

Once you have an animal scale, simply place your dog on the scale to get precise results. Remember to be gentle and introduce them to the equipment first as this can be daunting and scary for a dog. The Tare function on the scale can be used to set it back to zero so that they can be weighed comfortably with a blanket or bed placed on the scale before them.

Once you have their weight on your scale, make sure you remember to record the result, along with the date that you weighed them to keep track of any weight changes. 

What to do if your dog doesn't like being weighed

As previous mentioned the instability of a scale can be scary for dogs, particularly if they are already nervous in a medical setting. Therefore, weighing your dog at home can make them feel more comfortable and less stressed. If possible, begin weighing your dog regularly when they are a puppy, so they get used to the process. Rewarding your dog with a treat or a toy once onto the scale will help them become more confident and encourage them to get on the scale without any trouble.